Question

What is the shape of the cross-section formed when a plane containing line AC and line EH intersects this cube? What is the area of the cross-section? In two or more complete sentences, explain how you were able to determine the shape and area of the cross-section. Be sure to include the properties of quadrilaterals and the mathematical computations necessary to support your answers

Answer 1

Answer:

Cross section is a rectangle.

Area of cross section = 16 sqrt(2) = 22.63 sq. units (to 2 decimals)

Step-by-step explanation:

Given a cube.

top face ABCD is parallel and congruent to bottom face EFGH  ........(1)

justified by the properties of cubes

Sides AE and CH are perpendicular to faces ABCD and EFGH ..........(2)

justified by the properties of cubes

Diagonals AC and EH are congruent ......................(3)

justified by (1), congruent top and bottom faces  

Consider cross-section ACHE

AC is congruent and parallel to  EH   (1) & (3)

EA & HC are perpendicular to AC      (2)

Therefore the quadrilateral ACHE is a rectangle.

Length of diagonal AC = sqrt(4^2+4^2) = 4 sqrt(2)  ..........pythagoras theorem

AE = CH = DG = 4      properties of cube, all sides equal

Area of ACHE = 4* 4sqrt(2) = 16 sqrt(2) = 22.63 sq. units